We fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday and abstain from meat on the other Fridays of the season, but it’s not much of a sacrifice to splurge on lobster instead of beef as a Lenten meal.

Catholic Schools Week always serves as a time to reflect upon the many gifts that those institutions give us: a solid education, a deeper faith and lasting friendships.

Catholic institutions in East Baltimore are working to help address the systemic problems that lead to poverty and homelessness.

This year the Christmas classic “It’s A Wonderful Life” hit closer to home than ever for Managing Editor Paul McMullen.

Harden not your heart. Combat disaster fatigue with compassion.

Paul McMullen finds boundless inspiration from young people.

Many years ago, I read an essay that pointed out that the church – whose head is Christ – must have a dual nature: like Jesus, both divine and human. If the church were not human, it would not be riddled with sinners and all that sin brings into our lives; but if the church were not divine, it could not have lasted two millennia, the argument went.

We cannot simply say, “Have a nice day,” to someone who is clinically depressed, and expect that to change his or her situation. But we can learn to identify warning signs (see box) and get help for those who are hurting.

After open-heart surgery, Paul McMullen’s gratitude is keener than ever.

I heard that someone commenting on the new memorial said, “Isn’t there enough about Mary, already?” How can there be too much about Mary when she brought us Jesus?